CrossroadsCast

Discuss the fourteenth episode of season four, "Sex and Violence," here.

What I loved about this episode: It set up, from the begining, what the effect of the Siren's power was and how it worked, which reveals much about Sam and Dean's fight at the end. Well, the way I think about it, anyway. When the husband was telling us why he killed his wife, it surprised me so much. The guy seemed completely normal (apart from the killing his wife part): he knew what he did and even had a reason for it (albeit a blown-out-of-proportion reason. I mean it isn't everyday you beat your wife with a meat tenderizer for not telling you she accepted a party invitation or whatnot. So obviously, he over-reacted a little. ). He was so very chillingy himself after he realized that for some reason, he was, in his head, justified for what he did (and wanted to commit suicide and all, as he told Dean and Sam).

So,
- This isn't the kind of mind-control in the episode 'Simon Said' that turns you into nothing more than what 'Andy's brother what's-his-name' puts in your head. (I just rewatched this episode, and I noticed that for example, when the doctor in the begining shoots the guy at the counter, and is about to shoot himself he never says "it's alright" or "it'll be fine"... he only says "it's okay" = exactly what 'Andy's brother what's-his-name' tells everyone else before they kill themselves.)
- It doesn't seem like the kind of suggestion in 'Houses of the Holy', where
the priest ghost dude asks people to kill for them, then the victims (call them what you will ) feel like they've done the world a sent-from-heaven favor and then are fine with getting incarcerated into a mental institution/prison/what will you because they're at peace. (can't remember this episode 100% clearly, but I hope I'm about right)
- And obviously, it's not like when you can't control anything you do, aka a demon possession.

The way he felt about killing his wife was... different than any type of mind-control we've seen on Supernatural before. Which made me that much more interested in what Sam and Dean had to say in their little pre-tussle in 'Sex and Violence'. I feel like what they said was totally them, totally their own thoughts and feelings, but magnified and with a little venom thrown in (curtosy of the Siren).

I feel like they said what had been boiling inside them since Dean came back, and like a whole bunch of people, thought Sam's comments were a little harsher than Dean's and a lot more unexpected. But that's just Sam, isn't it? The writers love to drown him in subtlenesstocity (because this is so a word) cuz 1) it is so like Sam to bottle it up and 2) Jared does subtle like there's no tomorrow-- he rocks at it . So when Sam does blow a fuse, it comes as a surprise. And that's where most of Sam's story is this season, as I've heard in an interview (somewhere, at some point... I think it was a Sera Gamble interview); That you have to look at what Sam might be feeling with regards to what Dean is/isn't doing in various episodes, or with what is happening to people they meet *coughJAYcough*.

If you look at what Sam said that way, technically, he is the one who's been on the action front most of the time this season: doing something about Lillith (in his own demon-y powered way ).
Dean's comments, on the other hand, are very true and states what I think most fans were noticing more and more: that Sam is different this season... much of that innocence/reluctant hero aspect is gone, and as far as most fans were concerned, that's what made Sam Sam. And now those clearly defining characteristics seem to be whittling away. But that's what I love about this show-- it's a show about these two characters and what they go through, so you can't expect (with the things they do go through) that they themselves won't change.

I personally love everything the show's doing right now with Sam and Dean-- going in new directions that I could never have anticipated. Buuut I hate how it makes me post a friggin' essay's worth of thinky thoughts about one gosh darn good episode. And feel free to disagree with anything... I love seeing the other side of the fence! It's always greener there, isn't it? *thumbs up*

PS When you find another show that makes me think as much as this one does, you let me know!

Only one I can think of off-hand is Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles.

I can think of another one! Battlestar Galactica

Ya but BSG's ending in less than a month, there's still a chance SCC could have a 3rd season.

Tru dat. Let's hope that TSCC gets a 3rd season pickup, as Supernatural got its 5th season pickup.

Tim wrote:Tru dat. Let's hope that TSCC gets a 3rd season pickup, as Supernatural got its 5th season pickup.

Yeah and let's not forget Smallville's 9th season! *jumps around*

Supernatural and Smallville are easily my two favorite shows, so yesterday was like Christmas for me hehe. Now that those two are safe, gotta wonder about T:SCC and Knight Rider (which airs its season finale tonight). The chances for the latter two getting renewed aren't quite as good as Supernatural's and Smallville's chances were.

It is indeed sad. I have only seen an episode of Knight Rider and it seems a waste to throw this quality show in the trash. But having seen the entire run of T:SCC, I am sad to see it possibly leave us.

Yesterday was like Christmas to me, as well, as everyone knows Smallville and Supernatural are my 2 favorite shows. So I am glad those 2 got renewed, but worry for the other two.